Fenestration device having a tiltable sash



Dec- 2, 1969 A. GRossMAN FENESTRATIQN DEVICE HAVING A 'TILTABLE SASH 2 Sheetssheet l Filed Feb. 1 1968 Mm MMM NSN www WRH My MMM AM Dec. 2, 1969 Filed Feb. l, 1968 A. GROSSMAN FENESTRATION DEVICE HAVING A-TILTABLE SAsH FIG. 6.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fr. Z

INVENTOR.

ABRAHAM GROSS/14AM MAHoA/EY 8c HORA/5A KE@ A fm2/ver United States Patent O 3,481,077 FENESTRATION DEVICE HAVING A TILTABLE SASH Abraham Grossman, Northridge, Calif., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Panascope, Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Feb. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 702,452 Int. Cl. E05d 15/22 U.S. Cl. 49-188 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fenestration device, such as a vertical hung window, has a perimetrical frame which mounts at least one movable sash and an associated sash for closing the frame opening. The frame provides retention and releasing stations whereby, when the movable sash is moved into the releasing station, pivot members on the movable sash and the frame which are interengageable with each other are mutually engaged to permit the movable sash to be moved outwardly of the frame to facilitate the cleaning of the outer surface of the light mounted in the movable sash. The teachings of the invention are applicable, not only to single and double hung vertically oriented windows, but to sliding sash wherein the movable sash is moved in a horizontal, rather than a vertical direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a fenestration device for use in building and other structures and, more particularly, to a fenestration device incorporating a movable sash which is adapted to be moved between retention and releasing stations in the frame of the device so that the movable sash can be moved outwardly of the plane of the frame of the fenestration device to permit access to be had to the outer surface of the light mounted in the movable sash for cleaning purposes.

One of the most widely utilized fenestration devices is the single hung, vertically oriented Window, in which a movable sash is mounted for movement in a window frame and is associated with a fixed sash which is permanently secured in position to close the upper portion of the frame opening while the lower portion of the frame opening is closed by the movable sash. Because of the immovable nature of the lixed sash, considerable difficulty has been encountered in cleaning the exterior surface of the light mounted in the movable sash.

As a matter of fact, the only feasible manner in which a conventional single hung window can be cleaned is to clean both the exterior surfaces of the movable and xed sash lights from the exterior of the structure in which the window is located. In multiple story buildings, the cleaning of single hung windows entails the use of professional window cleaners or the partial cleaning of the external surface of the light in the movable sash.

Similar considerations apply, to a lesser extent, to double hung windows since the sash in a double hung window are both movable and may be manipulated to provide partial access to the exterior surfaces of the lights of both sash. However, cleaning such windows is a tedious and time-consuming process and involves the repeated manipulation of the sash in the frame to complete the cleaning operation. In any event, there is usually a portion of one or both of the sashes which is improperly cleaned due to the ditculty of access thereto.

Similar considerations are applicable with equal cogency to slider-type windows which incorporate one or more movable sash, movable in a horizontal direction, or one 3,481,077l Patented Dec. 2, 1969 movable sash associated with a iixed sash in a manner analogous to that discussed in considering single and double hung windows hereinabove. However, because of the inherent nature of slider windows, it is quite common to provide an intermediate fixed sash with movable sash on opposite sides of the fixed sash and various other combinations of fixed and movable sash are utilized which are not feasible with vertically oriented single and double hung windows.

Furthermore, slider windows of the type referred to immediately hereinabove frequently are manufactured in very large sizes with the movable and fixed sashes being of dimensions substantially exceeding those encountered in vertically oriented double and single hung windows. The common expedient utilized in cleaning such slider windows has been to lift the movable sash from the frame and to reverse it within the connes of the structure in which the slider is located so that the external surface of the movable sash light is exposed to the cleaning operation. When the movable sash have attained the large sizes which are frequently utilized in commercial applications, lifting the sash is an extremely diicult process because of the large size and weight thereof.

'This is particularly true in commercial applications where heavier glass or dual glass applications are utilized.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a fenestration device which includes a perimetrical frame adapted to be inserted in a corresponding opening in a Astructure with said frame incorporating a retention station and a releasing station for a movable sash mounted in rst receptacles in opposed members of the frame.

As previously mentioned, the teachings of the invention are applicable, with equal cogency, to vertically or horizontally oriented windows, but to facilitate the disclosure of the invention, emphasis will be placed upon the incorporation of the teachings in vertically oriented single and double hung windows.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a window which includes a movable sash mounted in a frame of the aforementioned character and which also includes another sash co-operative with the movable sash to close the opening dened by the frame. In a single hung window, the other sash is xed in the top portion of the frame. In a double hung window, both sash are movable. In any event, that portion of the frame .incorporating the opposed receptacles or tracks for the reception and movement of the movable sash of a single hung window or the innermost movable sash of a double hung window incorporates a retention station and a releasing station, the retention station being adapted to prevent outward movement of the movable sash from the plane of the frame while the releasing station permits such outward movement of the movable sash to facilitate cleaning thereof.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a window of the aforementioned character wherein the movable sash is provided with pivot or retention means adapted to engage with or disengage from co-operative pivot or retention means mounted upon the frame so that, when the movable sash has fully entered the releasing station, the pivot or retention means of the movable sash is automatically engaged upon the pivot or retention means of the frame.

Consequently, the movable sash can then be tilted outwardly from the plane of the frame into an angular position in which the outer surface of the movable sash light can be readily cleaned from the interior of the structure in which the window of the invention is located.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a window of the aforementioned character wherein the aforesaid pivot means is constituted by a pair of pivot members mounted on one extremity of the movable sash and by a corresponding pair of pivot members mounted adjacent an extremity of the frame, said pivot members being so constructed that, when they begin to engage each other, there is a perceptible snap action which automatically indicates to the operator of the movable sash that it is ready to be pivoted outwardly from the frame at the releasing station.

When the movable sash has been pivoted outwardly from the associated frame at the releasing station, it is, of course, not desirable that inadvertent release of the movable sash occur since the person operating the sash usually has one hand supporting the sash in the angular tilted position and the other hand utilized to clean the light of the movable sash.

It is, therefore, another object of my invention to provide a window of the aforementioned character including pivot 4or retention members on the frame and sash cooperative with each other, said pivot or retention members of said sash having retaining means thereupon engageable with corresponding portions of the frame to prevent disengagement of the pivot members from operative relationship with each other when the movable sash is disposed in the angular position accomplished by its release from the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a front elevational view of a single hung window incorporating the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the broken line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken `on the broken line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken from the broken line 4-4 of FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the movable sash located at the releasing station of the frame;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the broken line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the manner in which the pivot members `of the sash cooperate with the pivot members of the frame to permit the sash to be tilted outwardly into an angular orientation and to be released from confinement within the frame;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the movable sash disposed normally to the plane of the frame and illustrating the manner in which the retaining means associated with the pivot members of the sash prevent inadvertent dislocation of the pivot members of the sash from operative relationship with the pivot members of the frame;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view showing one of the pair of pivot members normally axed to the upper extremity of the sash; and

FIG. l0 is an isometric view of the pivot mounting block adapted to be engaged by the associated pivot member of the sash.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to the FIGS. 1-4 thereof, I show a single hung window 10 incorporating the teachings of the invention and including a perimetrical frame 12 which is adapted to be inserted in a corresponding opening in a structure, not shown. The single hung window disclosed herein is fabricated from a plurality of aluminum extrusions, but it is not intended that the teachings of the invention be limited to the utilization of any particular type of material since it is conceivable that analogous or substitute materials may be utilized in the place of the aluminum eXtrusions disclosed.

The frame includes a head 14, parallel jamb members 16 and a Sill 18 which are operatively connected to each other by means of screw fasteners, not shown.

The head 14 is constituted by an aluminum extrusion having a mounting fin 22 provided thereupon and incorporates elongated inner and outer channels 24 and 26 which are separated by an intermediate L-shaped rib 28. The sill 18 incorporates a mounting n 32 and incorporates inner and outer channels 34 and 36 respectively, said channels being divided by a partition wall 38 in which drainage openings 42 are formed, said drainage openings being covered by weather-stripping 46 disposed in overlying relationship therewith.

A vertically oriented rib 48 is encompassed by a U- shaped ceiling strip or bumper 52, for a purpose which will be described in greater detail below. The bumper may be fabricated from vinyl plastic or from any other suitable material.

Each of the jambs 16 includes a mounting fin 54 and rst and second receptacles or guide channels 56 and 58 respectively, the first receptacles 56 being the inner receptacles and the second receptacles 58 being the outer receptacles.

Mounted for vertical movement in the rst receptacle 56 of the jambs 16 is a movable sash 60, said movable sash including opposed stiles 62, a top rail 64 and a bottom rail 66 secured in operative relationship with each other by screw fasteners, not shown, and supporting a pane of glass or light 68. The first and second receptacles or channels 56 and 58 are separated from each other by a continuous rib 72, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. A sweep lock 74 is provided for locking the movable sash against movement in a conventional manner.

The frame 12 of the window 10 incorporates a retention station constituted by the lower portion of the frame and a releasing station at the upper portion of the frame defined by elongated notches 78 formed in the jambs 16 and communicating with the first receptacles or channels 58 in which the movable sash 60 is translated. The length of the notches 78 is slightly greater than the overall length of the movable sash as best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

Secured to the top rail 64 of the movable sash 60 are pivot or retention members 82 which may be fabricated from nylon or similar plastic and which are aflixed in operative relationship with said top rail by means of screws 84.

The overall configuration of the pivot members 82 is best shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings as including a mounting base 86, a pivot pin 88 and retaining means 92.

Mounted in the upper extremities of the receptacles or channels 56 of the jambs 16 are pivot members 94 which are fabricated from nylon or similar plastic and which include, as best shown in FIGS. 6-10 of the drawings, an elongated mounted block 96 having openings 98 for the reception of screw fasteners 102. A depending side cheek 104 is juxtaposed to the side of the channel 56 with which it is associated and has an abutment 106 formed integrally therewith, said abutment incorporating a socket 108 for the reception of the pivot pin 88, in a manner to be described in greater detail below and an angularly oriented cam surface 112. Sash balances of conventional character, indicated schematically at 114 in FIG. 3 of the drawings may be utilized in conjunction with the movable sash 60. Since they do not constitute an essential part of the invention disclosed herein, they are not disclosed in the teachings. However, any conventional sash balance may be utilized.

Mounted in the second or outer receptacles 58 is a fixed sash which, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, co-operates with the movable sash to close the frame opening.

The cleaning problems encountered in cleaning the outer surface of the light of the movable sash 60 is readily exemplified by the showing of FIG. 5 of the drawings wherein the movable sash is disclosed as disposed at the releasing station of the frame in overlying relationship with the fixed sash 120. Since the movable sash must be raised in an attempt to `achieve access to the exterior surface of its light, such raising of the sash automatically prevents access to the exterior surface of the light because it is moved into overlying relationship with the fixed sash. Consequently, adequatev cleaning of such single hung windows and, more particularly, the movable sashes thereof, can only be accomplished by exterior cleaning.

However, no such difficulty is encountered with the single hung window constructed -in accordance with the teachings of the invention since, when the movable sash exterior surface is to be cleaned, the movable sash is moved upwardly 'from the retention station to the releasing station of the frame 12 as defined by the elongated notches 78 in the jambs of the frame. As` the movable sash 60 is urged upwardly, the pivot pins 88 of the'pivot members 82 on the upper extremity of the movable sash are carried into the throat 124 between the angularly-oriented 'cam surface 112 of the pivot members 94 and the inner surface ofthe front leg of the first receptacles or channels 56. As continued movement of the pivot pins 88 occurs, they are engaged upon the cam surfaces 112 causing mutual deflection of the cam surfaces 112 and pivot pinsv 88 to impart a snapaction as the pivot pins are releasedfrom the cam surfaces and moved upwardly yabove said surfaces into -positions in which the pivotpins 88 are adapted to be located in the socket.108 of the pivot members 94. The snap-action indicates to a'person operating the movable sash 60 that the sash 60 can be tilted outwardly.

The position assumed by the pivot pins 88 after passing through therestricted throat 124is shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Subsequently, the movable sash 68 is grasped at the lower extremity thereof and tilted outwardly to cause the lower extremity of the retaining means 82 constituted by the rectangular plate 92 to engage'on the inner surface of the front wall of the channel 56, as best shown in FIG. 7 ofthe drawings, thus forcing the pivot pins 88 rearwardlyinto overlying engagement with the associated sockets 108.

Continued upward movement .of the movable sash 60 causes it to be disposed in a position substantially normal to the plane of the vassociated frame 12; as best shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. It will be noted that, when the movable sash 60 is located in the position of FIG. 8, there is no possibility -whatsoever of inadvertent disengagement of the pivot pins 88 of the pivot members 82 from operative relationship with the corresponding sockets 108 of the pivot members 94 since the retaining means constituted by the substantially at rectangular plates 92 associated with the pivot pins 88 serve to restrict inadvertent disengagement of the pivot pins SSfrom the sockets 108 by the impingement of the extremities thereof on the inner surfaces of the front walls of the channels 56.

It should be noted that there is a critical relationship between the height of the movable sash 60 and the elongated notches 78 Which define the releasing station of the frame 12. This relationship is shown clearly Ain FIG. 5 of the drawings where the movable sash 60 is disclosed as located at the releasing station immediately prior to its being tilted outwardly from the plane of the frame 12.

The length of the elongated notches 78 is such that, until the movable sash 60 has moved completely into the releasing station, it cannot be inadvertently tilted outwardly. In other words, the pivots 88 must be engaged upon the sockets 108 before the movable sash 60 can be tilted outwardly since it is only when the pivots 88 are engaged upon the sockets 108 that the lower extremity of the movable sash 60 clears the lower limits of the notches 78, as best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Therefore, the possibility that the movable sash might be tilted outwardly and released from operative relationship with the frame 12 before engagement of the pivot pins 88 upon the sockets 108 is obviated.

Although I have restricted the showing of the invention in the drawings to a single hung window, it will, of course, be obvious to those skilled in the art that the teachings of the invention can be readily applied to a double hung window wherein the fixed sash 120 is eliminated and a movable sash substituted therefor. Furthermore, the teachings of the invention can also be applied to a horizontally oriented window in which the movable sash or sashes are designed to slide or roll horizontally rather than be moved vertically vas in the case of the single or double hung windows'.

In the case of a slider-type window incorporating a fixed sash and a movable sash, the pivot members can be secured to one extremity of the movable sash and engageable upon pivot members secured to the frame in a manner essentially similar to that disclosed hereinabove. In the case of a slider-type window incorporating a centrally located fixed sash, the movable sash may incorporate pivot members on their confronting stiles and the pivot member for the reception of the pivot members on the movable sash may be located centrally of the frame in overlying relationship with the fixed sash.

While I have described variant structures incorporating the teachings ofthe invention hereinabove, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that divergencies from the specific 'configurations disclosed hereinabove may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a fenestration device, the combination of: a perimetrical frame adapted to be inserted in a corresponding opening in a building structure, said frame having opposed pairs of Sash receiving receptacles in opposite portions thereof and including a movable sash retention station and a movable sash releasing station, said releasing station being constituted by permanently open elongated notches in said frame, said notches being greater in length than the length of a movable sash and being located in said frame to permit said movable sash to be moved outwardly therethrough when said movable sash has been moved from a closed to an open position with reference to said frame, said movable sash mounted in said frame for movement between said retention and releasing stations, said movable sash being disposed in its closed position in respect to the opening vdefined by said frame when it is located at said retention station of said frame; another sash mounted in said frame for co-operative closure of said frame opening in conjunction with said movable sash; and co-operative pivot members mounted, respectively, adjacent one end of said frame and on one extremity of said movable sash, said pivot members being engageable with one another to permit said movable sash to be pivoted outwardly of said frame at said releasing station and being releasable from each other to permit said sash to be moved from said releasing station to said retention station.

2. A fenestration device as defined in claim 1 in which said pivot members include a pair of pivot members on said frame and a pair of pivot members on said movable sash.

3. A fenestration device as defined in claim 1 in which said pivot members on said frame incorporate sockets for receiving corresponding portions of said pivot members on said movable sash.

4. A fenestration device as defined in claim 3 in which said pivot members on said movable sash have retaining means co-operative with said pivot members on said frame to prevent inadvertent disengagement of said pivot members on said movable sash from said pivot members on said frame during outward movement of said movable sash with respect to said frame at saidL releasing station.

7 8 5. A fenestration device as defined in claim 1 in which v References Cited said retention and releasing stations are provided in the l UNITED STATES PATENTS jambs of said frame.

6. A fenestration device of the character dened in 969,778 9/ 1910 Franks 49-149 claim 1 in which said retention and releasing Stations are 2,865,061 12/1958 Kunkel 49 18g provided by the jambs of said frame and in which said 5 movable sash is movable vertically in said frame. KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner 

